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Average Price: $700

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$501+

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Description

Delve into the world of limitless sonic possibilities with the Fractal Axe-Fx II Guitar Effects Processor. This rackmounted system takes your guitar's tone to new heights by leveraging the power of two cutting-edge Analog Devices TigerSHARC DSPs. One DSP is purely dedicated to amp modeling, capturing every nuance of the original gear, while the other handles a plethora of effects. Renowned for its superior sound quality, flexibility, and an extensive library of presets, the Axe-Fx II stands as a testament to Fractal's commitment to innovation and excellence in guitar technology.

Key Features:

  • Dual Analog Devices TigerSHARC DSPs for separate amp modeling and effects processing
  • Extensive preset library for a wide range of sonic possibilities
  • Superior sound quality and flexibility
  • Rackmounted design for easy integration with existing gear
  • Award-winning guitar technology from Fractal

Product specs

Brand Fractal Audio
Model Axe-FX II
Finish Black
Year 2011 - 2012
Made In United States
Categories Guitar Modeling Amps
Color Family Black
Pedal Format Rackmount

FAQs

What are the main features of the Fractal Axe-Fx II Guitar Effects Processor?

The Fractal Axe-Fx II offers extensive amp modeling, a wide array of effects, and advanced signal processing capabilities, making it a versatile tool for both live performances and studio recording.

How does the Axe-Fx II compare to traditional guitar amps?

The Axe-Fx II provides digital emulation of various amp models and effects, offering flexibility and convenience that traditional amps may lack, while maintaining high sound quality.

Can the Axe-Fx II be used as a standalone preamp?

Yes, the Axe-Fx II functions as an all-in-one preamp/effects processor, capable of handling both amp modeling and effects processing without the need for additional gear.

Does the Axe-Fx II support firmware updates for new features?

Yes, the Axe-Fx II supports firmware updates, allowing users to access new features and improvements as they are released by Fractal Audio.

Is the Fractal Axe-Fx II suitable for live performances?

Absolutely, the Axe-Fx II is designed for both studio and live use, offering robust performance capabilities and a wide range of sounds to suit various musical styles.

Guitar Interactive Magazine

Guitar Interactive Magazine

Fractal Audio AXE FX II Review With Tom Quayle - iGuitar Magzine Issue 10

Video thumbnail for Fractal Audio AXE FX II  Review With Tom Quayle - iGuitar Magzine Issue 10 by Guitar Interactive Magazine

Fractal Audio AXE FX II Review With Tom Quayle - iGuitar Magzine Issue 10

Guitar Interactive Magazine

Guitar Interactive Magazine

Video thumbnail for NY Amp Show '11 - Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II Preamp / FX Processor Demo by Premier Guitar

NY Amp Show '11 - Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II Preamp / FX Processor Demo

Premier Guitar

Premier Guitar

Video thumbnail for Fractal Axe FX II Demo with Carl Roa by Guitar World

Fractal Axe FX II Demo with Carl Roa

Guitar World

Guitar World

Video thumbnail for Trevor Rabin - Fractal Axe-Fx II Soundcheck Clip by Mr. French's Music Lab

Trevor Rabin - Fractal Axe-Fx II Soundcheck Clip

Mr. French's Music Lab

Mr. French's Music Lab

Video thumbnail for Fractal Audio Systems Axe-Fx II Preamp/Fx Processor Heavy Metal Demo Review by Tech of Tomorrow

Fractal Audio Systems Axe-Fx II Preamp/Fx Processor Heavy Metal Demo Review

Tech of Tomorrow

Tech of Tomorrow

Reviews

PROS

  • Superior cabinet emulations and songwriting tool

  • Great for both recording and live use

  • Vast array of amp sounds, responsive and lifelike

  • High-end components, FX surpass Eventide quality

  • Infinite flexibility in sound creation

  • Constant updates add value

  • Integrates well with digital recording setups

  • Noticeable difference in sound and feel compared to other processors

  • Allows complete control over tone

CONS

  • High learning curve for those not familiar with signal chains

  • Durability concerns; issues with DSP no longer being manufactured

  • Some users find it doesn't compare favorably to physical amps

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fractal Axe-Fx II Guitar Effects Processor.

Features and functionality

  • The Axe-Fx II XL+ allows use of ARES firmware, enhancing DSP capabilities and expanding available amp models.

    Source
  • The Axe-Fx II models the entire signal path, including components like resistors and transistors, resulting in natural sound dynamics not found in simpler EQ-based modelers.

    Source
  • The processor's capability to connect with a GroundControl pedal board allows seamless switching between tones like a 5150 and an AC30 Top Boost within a single performance.

    Source
  • The Axe-Fx II allows for over 90 adjustable parameters within the amp block, offering extensive customization for those who want to delve deep into sound tweaking.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Some users prefer the tonal character of the Axe-Fx II XL+ over the Axe-Fx III for specific amp models like Bogner, Diezel, and Friedman.

    Source
  • In high-gain settings, the Axe-Fx II is preferred over Line 6 products, which struggle with distortion dynamics, especially for metal music production.

    Source
  • Though the Helix has a more intuitive hardware UI, the Axe-Fx II is noted for its mature platform with a broad range of features and amp models.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • Axe Edit may experience issues with the latest Mac OS versions, potentially affecting usability of the Axe-Fx II.

    Source
  • The Axe-Edit software is praised for its ease of use, providing a better editing experience than the Line 6 Helix's software editor.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Owners report purchasing an XL+ for between $800 and $1000, highlighting variability in the secondhand market.

    Source
  • An Axe-Fx 2 MK I is highlighted for having sufficient IR and preset memory, with 100 user IR slots and 383 presets, despite being an older model.

    Source

Build quality

  • A user experienced a screen failure on an Axe-Fx II XL+, and Fractal no longer provides parts for this model, posing a risk for buyers.

    Source

User experience

  • Despite being older, the Axe-Fx II is still favored for its ability to produce tones comparable to the Axe-Fx III in some scenarios.

    Source
  • The Axe-Fx II can simulate a 5150 mod with precision, eliminating hum and noise compared to the real amp and offering consistency across different venues.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate the continued free updates from Fractal Audio, enhancing amp modeling and adding new effects, maintaining the unit's relevance over time.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Owners highlight the Axe-Fx II's ability to maintain consistent sound quality on tour, unaffected by poor power conditions or challenging acoustics.

    Source

Critic Reviews

AxeFx II Mark II Review: I have presets for every style I play and I enjoy... | Fractal Audio | Guitar Amplifiers | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

ultimate-guitar.com

The Fractal Axe-Fx II impresses with its vast array of amp models and effects, standing out for its dynamic sound and ease of use through the Axe-edit software. While it might intimidate beginners due to its learning curve, seasoned users will appreciate its versatility and near-authentic tube amp emulations. Its reliability and build quality are also commendable. However, the lack of an integrated power amp could be a drawback for some. Overall, a superb choice for those seeking professional-grade tone and flexibility.

positive

Fractal Axe-FX II Preamp FX Processor Review - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

The Fractal Axe-Fx II is celebrated as a powerhouse for guitarists, praised for its exceptional sound quality and versatility. Its ability to replicate and replace traditional amp setups with high fidelity is a major highlight, making it a staple for professionals like Steve Vai and John Petrucci. However, its complexity can be daunting, requiring a steep learning curve to navigate its extensive features and submenus. While the $2,200 price tag is hefty, the unit's comprehensive capabilities justify the investment for those seeking unparalleled sonic flexibility. Despite lacking the aesthetic charm of classic amps, its practical benefits are hard to ignore.

positive

Review: Fractal Audio Systems Axe-FX II — AudioTechnology

audiotechnology.com

The Fractal Axe-Fx II Guitar Effects Processor is a powerhouse for guitarists, packing a vast array of amp, cabinet, and effect models into a compact 2U unit. The emulations are impressively convincing, rivaling their analog counterparts. It's lauded for its versatility, ease of transport, and integration with digital audio workstations. However, its fully digital nature and steep learning curve may deter purists who favor traditional valve amps. Overall, the Axe-Fx II offers unmatched modeling capabilities at a price point that's more affordable than many of the amplifiers it emulates, making it a stellar choice for modern guitarists.

positive
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 10 Reviews and 79 Ratings

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sem_wlt

Рабочая лошадка

Фрактал это мечта скорее всего большинства гитаристов. Но у меня есть одно большое НО.

Вроде и крутой аппарат и звучит всегда о везде. Хоть в стэк, хоть в линию. Но совершенно нет желания сидеть с ним часами и крутить вертеть - неинтересно. Это мой третий по счету фрактал, и с каждым из них я поступал так: настроил один раз и больше не лез в настройки. То ли дело другие девайсы.

From Gear Setup
N

Highly suggested

If you have a good understanding of signal chains and frequencies the axe fx will do you wonders. If you dont know what your doing you may get fustrated with. Its great for recording and live use. Some people dont think its $2000 better than other affordable effects/processors (the pod hd500 and the boss gt 100 to be exact) but any real professional will tell you there is a noticeable difference in sound and feel.

nick_desimone

the future is now

I don't know if there's a better option out there...I'm still very new to this unit, but the Axe Fx is truly the best sounding box available, this thing came from the future. Impossible amounts of amp sounds, all of which are responsive and lifelike. I haven't broken it in live yet, but I'm sure it'll be a joy when that day comes. Can't believe I was farting around with a POD HD for so long when the future was out there the whole time. It's complicated, make no mistake - there's a lot of buttons and knobs and submenus, you can get beyond granular with all of it, but even the presets sound great for hobbyists who just want to plug and play.

I will never settle for less in my digital boxes, ever again.

garbagetruckdriver

Great studio tool

99% of the time I use the Axe-FX. Just to put some context on that, I have 11 tube amplifiers in the studio... from a '69 Superlead, CAA-PT-100, a collection of Dr Z and 65 Amps boutique amps, and some Mesa Boogie amps that I've modded myself. The Fractal is just so convenient and convincing.

jimmarchi1

finally someone with a real superlead reviews the Fractal! thanks man. I am reall picky about 4 holer sounds having owned, toured and recorded with a number of them, all with their own special flavors and I just never hear anything but a well made clone copping any of those sounds convincingly, but I never see a Fractal in person around here to try one.... do you use the cab impulses or run it into a power amp driving a cab?

garbagetruckdriver

Hi Jim. Well, I never use the Axe-FX live - I prefer to drag a head and cab. In my studio, however, the Axe-FX II gets me 99% of the way there in just seconds. I'm using TAF and OwnHammer IRs straight to the DAW (usually SPDIF).

_r_a_m_o_n

Best equipment for guitar nowadays

Every component is high end in this processor. The FX are incredible, better than Eventide. The Amp simulations are extremely close to original, you can't distinguish them, when doing A/B

ben_champion

The source of all my toan

Infinite flexibility and incredible sound. What more could I want (oh yeah an AX8 so I can actually take it places)

raymosel

Cant live without my Fractal Axe-Fx II

I highly recommend the Fractal Axe-Fx II I use it for recording and live. this is my secret weapon for sure!

Roles:
D

The Ultimate Modern Rig

The Axe-Fx allows me, as a musician, to have complete control over my tone and to create any sound I want. It's pretty much a box of inspiration.

dillonpudge

A must have

The Axe-Fx allows me, as a musician, to have complete control over my tone and to create any sound I want. It's pretty much a box of inspiration.

lucaslecompte

Amazing

You have every effect and amp you could ever want plus constant updates,

Artist usage

Add artist
See how James Valentine uses Fractal Axe-Fx II Guitar Effects Processor

James Valentine

Guitarist

Maroon 5

...
Verified via YouTube

"All of my delays and reverbs and everything else goes through the Axe-FX II." - James Valentine in this "Rig Rundown."

See how Sergio Vega uses Fractal Axe-Fx II Guitar Effects Processor

Sergio Vega

Bassist

Deftones

...
Verified via Photo

In this article, the following is written about Deftness and their use of Fractal Audio Systems:

"But regarding the recording process, the real game changer was Fractal Audio Systems Axe-FX II Preamp FX Processor.

'The Deftones have always had a futuristic element to their sound, but it’s not as prevalent on the last record,' Rasculinecz says. '[This time] we started with brand-new sounds from Fractal Audio, which was a big sonic shift for the band. It’s the first record where Stephen hasn’t used the same amp and cab as on every record before. That alone lent itself to creating a fresh take on the music. Fractal opened up a whole new world of sonic elements that we didn’t have on the last record and it really took Stephen and Sergio out of the box.'"

See how Jason Hook uses Fractal Axe-Fx II Guitar Effects Processor

Jason Hook

Guitarist, Composer

Alice Cooper

...
Verified via YouTube

In this Rig Rundown, at 17:33, 2 Axe FX II can be seen in Jason's signal chain (third and fourth from the bottom).

See how Dexter Holland uses Fractal Axe-Fx II Guitar Effects Processor

Dexter Holland

Singer, Guitarist

The Offspring

...
Verified via Premierguitar

In the video @6:00-6:15 Noodles mentions that Dexter has his sounds stored in his Axe FX and Noodles has Dexter's sounds stored in his.

In the whole video Noodles discusses the convenience and consistency of the Axe-FX.

See how Javier Reyes uses Fractal Axe-Fx II Guitar Effects Processor

Javier Reyes

Guitarist, Composer

Animals as Leaders

...
Verified via YouTube

at 2:27 Javier tells Rebecca Dirks from Premier Guitar, “as far as my guitar rig I’m actually using an Axe-FX II which is running through this Mytek digital to analog converter…that goes basically to my Port City Pearl amp and out to my Port City cab. So I’m getting the benefit of a lot of digital technology mixed with the good analog technology. “

See how Dweezil Zappa uses Fractal Axe-Fx II Guitar Effects Processor

Dweezil Zappa

Guitarist

Spinal Tap

...
Verified via Premierguitar

In an interview with Premier Guitar Dweezil Zappa's setup, which includes two Fractal Axe-Fx II Guitar Effects Processors, is discussed here:

"The heart of Dweezil's tone comes from a Fractal Audio Systems Axe-FX II. In previous versions of his rig he actually ran two units simultaneously due to the CPU demand that his custom presets required. However, on this “Zappa Does Zappa” tour he runs everything through the top unit and the bottom is used as a backup or for any guests that might sit in. In order to recreate his father's famous tones, Dweezil goes back to the master tapes to study and cop every little detail in order to program the Axe-FX II presets."

See how Mike Stringer uses Fractal Axe-Fx II Guitar Effects Processor

Mike Stringer

Guitarist

Spiritbox

...
Verified via YouTube

Mike uses a axe fx as his main amp sound

See how Jim Adkins uses Fractal Axe-Fx II Guitar Effects Processor

Jim Adkins

Singer, Guitarist

Jimmy Eat World

...
Verified via YouTube

In the rig rundown, JIm and Tom explain how they were introduced to Axe FX and that they have started using them live to spend more on production and less on hauling gear around.

See how DJ Ashba uses Fractal Axe-Fx II Guitar Effects Processor

DJ Ashba

Guitarist

Guns N' Roses

...
Verified via YouTube

Can be seen at 16:40

See how Ken Andrews uses Fractal Axe-Fx II Guitar Effects Processor

Ken Andrews

Singer, Guitarist

Failure

...
Verified via Photo

Ken Andrews uses this as it "sounds good with bass & guitar" for his alternating between the two instruments, along with finding it easier to take on tour rather than taking multiple amplifiers to get the Failure sound, according to this Premier Guitar rig rundown.

Guitar.com, 2015

Sure. We can tap all the guitar and bass sounds a lot more accurately because of amp modelling. The idea of putting the old rigs back together was not appealing to me at all, and I actually got Fractal’s Axe-Fx a year and a half ago when we were starting to entertain the idea of playing live. Everyone said ‘You’ve got to try the latest modelling technology see how far it’s come’, and Axe-Fx blew me away. To be able to cover all the sounds from the old albums and the new stuff in one box, and more accurately than a full analogue rig would be able to do, has been a huge facilitating feature of this whole reboot. We use Apple MainStage for keyboard sounds; I trigger a few samples off my pedal board, Kelli triggers some samples from his drum pad, but it’s all MIDI controllers running into MainStage on one laptop on my side of the stage. Another reason the Axe-Fx has worked so well for us as they do both guitar and bass pretty well. Greg and I switch live quite a bit.

See how Henrik Linder uses Fractal Axe-Fx II Guitar Effects Processor

Henrik Linder

Bassist

Dirty Loops

...
Verified via Flickr

In this photo, which partially shows Linder's rack units, the Fractal Axe-Fx II can be seen above his amplifier.

See how Greg Edwards uses Fractal Axe-Fx II Guitar Effects Processor

Greg Edwards

Guitarist, Bassist

Failure

...
Verified via Premierguitar

Both Greg and Ken praise the fractal for its convenience and sound quality in the Premier Guitar's interview about Failure's new album.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fractal Axe-Fx II Guitar Effects Processor, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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andoryu77

andoryu77

Gear IQ 132

sem_wlt

sem_wlt

Gear IQ 389

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